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The German government has authorized Poland to export five MiG 29 fighter jets
from former East German military stockpiles to Ukraine. Germany had given the
warplanes designed by the Soviet Union to Poland in 2003 and Warsaw had asked
Berlin if Ukraine could use them against the Russians. "This shows that you
can count on Germany," said Defense Secretary Boris Pistorius.
 
Poland is one of the most outspoken supporters of supplying military equipment
to Ukraine. The country previously sent Soviet-era munitions and tanks and has
now delivered eight MiG 29 fighter jets to Ukraine, with six more on its way.
 
President Andrzej Duda said earlier this month that Poland will eventually
transfer its entire fleet of about 30 aircraft to its eastern neighbour, but
part of it has yet to receive an already ordered replacement. Since the
Ukrainian army uses the same type of fighter aircraft, the aircraft can in
principle be deployed immediately.
 
Germany has supplied Ukraine with a wide variety of weapons in the past year,
including main battle tanks, armored infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft
guns, multiple rocket launchers and advanced anti-missile systems. After
initial criticism of what was described as a slow response to Russia's
invasion, Germany is now one of Kyiv's largest arms suppliers, along with the
US and the UK.

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